Rwanda’s labour force participation climbs Despite rising unemployment
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The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported that labour force participation increased to 63.9 percent in the third quarter of 2026, a 13 percentage point rise from 50.9 percent in 2021.
This growth means 5.63 million people were in the labour force out of a working-age population of 8.81 million, those aged 16 and older.
Despite more people working or seeking work, unemployment in Rwanda rose to 15.6 percent in the third quarter of 2026, an increase from 13.4 percent the year before. The NISR survey also revealed changes in the types of jobs Rwandans held. Employment in the services sector grew from 34.8 percent in 2021 to 45.6 percent in 2026, while agriculture’s share of employment decreased from 44.6 percent to 34.2 percent over the same period.
Although agriculture remains a key employer, providing jobs for over a third of the workforce, the numbers show a shift towards service-based jobs. However, the report indicated significant labour underutilisation, with 61.8 percent of the workforce affected in the third quarter of 2026. This measure includes people who want to work more hours, or who are not actively seeking work but are available to do so.
Women and people in rural areas experienced higher rates of labour underutilisation, at 68.6 percent and 68.4 percent respectively, than men and those in urban areas.
